State associations supports IOA's stand on Sports Policy 2007

New Delhi, Sep 7 (UNI) Intensifying its campaign against the Sports Ministry, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) today got the much-needed support from all the State Olympic Associations who unaniously condemned the draft National Sports Policy 2007.

The state associations also supported the IOA's stand that the new policy violates the Olympic Charter and that if the policy is implemented it would lead to suspension of India from international competitions.

''The new draft Sports policy is an infringement upon the autonomy of sports and the IOA will never tolerate this. It is totally against the essence of sports.

'' I am thankful to all the state associations for joining hands with the IOA in its fight against the new policy, IOA president Suresh Kalmadi told mediapersons after a meeting between the IOA and all the State Olympic Associations.

He also came down hard on the Spots Ministry for its dictatorial attitude during the formulation stage of the new policy.

''The Ministry did not feel the necessity of involving anyone, neither IOA, people related to sports nor any sportsperson while making the draft, unlike the Sports Policy of 2001.

''It is a beautiful paperwork made by some 'babus' who did not have any relation to sports sitting at the Shastri Bhawan,'' Mr Kalmadi said.

The IOA president questioned the workings of the Ministry, saying, ''What is required is not a new Sports Policy, instead they should look into their own affairs.'' ''What is the Ministry doing about the doping lab which is a prime requisite being the 2010 Commonwealth Games host?'' he questioned.

The IOA had received support from the National Sports Federations last week after a detailed discussion.

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